Zan

Thanks Cindy & Eileen! My mom is 64 and does not take care of herself… she drinks and smokes way too much, has high blood pressure and colitis. Her original test indicated that she might have had a stroke but then a follow up test showed nothing. Then she went and had a shot (flu?) and had a severe reaction…. The doctors found nothing major but she still is exhausted. I have finally come to accept that there is nothing I can do to change how she takes care of herself. It’s still very frustrating but I can’t keep beating my head against a wall .. .it hurts! Anyway…. I finally read through all the posts…. Looks like everyone had a good holiday and I see that I’m not the only one who indulged (I’m blaming it on stress!). Off to bed now.... Ahhhh – it’s good to be back!

Hi Everyone, Well I know I have not been around in awhile. Long story short… I went away for 3 days and came back home to find out my mom was sick. I rushed down there and decided to stay at her place until she felt better, wound up staying through the holiday. She is fine now; the doctors said all the tests came back normal. So we are not really sure what the problem is other than she is getting older and does not take care of herself. I finally got home last night. Unfortunately, Mom does not have a computer and the firewall / security at work does not let me have access so I have missed you all! Hope you all had a great holiday. I have not read any posts in about 2 weeks and have a feeling I will be up all night trying to catch up on everything!

Beanie.... brought out the voodoo dolls and they are doing their thing for you....

Hi Everyone, Aggghhh work has been crazy this week. I need a vacation!! So speaking of restriction... I'm not sure about my last fill on Monday. Tonight I had a business meeting took that 1 extra bite I shouldn't have and could not get to the bathroom quick enough. No PB but it was pretty close....let out a nice big burp and I was okay. The golfball pain was not the greatest feeling but it did not last long. That's the second time since Monday. I'm not sure if I'm too restricted or this is what its supposed to be like and I just have to be more careful... Either way its a pain in the butt and made me nervous. Tomorrow is my work holiday party ...perhaps I'll stick to liquids only (its an open bar!) Yup it's cold here and a storm is supposed to hit in the morning. I'll believe it when I see it since the storm that was supposed to happen on Monday never did (at least in the city). Beanie - I hate to say this but I might not be able to make it next week. I'll know more tomorrow when I get to the office but I might have to go to California for a work "crisis". I need to get to sleep so I can be charming and suck up to everyone at the party tomorrow!! Fun Fun Fun!! Hope all is well with everyone

Congratulations Pat! You look gorgeous!

Thats better than any jackpot in AC!! Congratulations. Do you have a date yet?

Eileen said it best- it's friggin cold here. It would be better if the weather change was gradual instead of slapping us in the face... only 1 1/2 weeks ago it was 65 degrees. Beanie..... THIS Sunday??? How long are you here for? I'm going to be away Sunday and Monday but could do any other night. I already checked the train station and I think I can get near where you will be. It would be great if we get together! Eileen - does the Montvale station sound right? Well I found out what everybody means about a fill kicking in.... WHAM! It's going to take some getting used to. Pat - my my my a new car! You must have been a really good girl this Christmas! Can't seem to think straight with the thought that Beanie is coming to town!!

Hi Everyone, Yup – I’m ready for more snow. I love it!!! I have my sled all ready and can’t wait to fit the “hills” in Central Park! Pat – the pictures of your home look fantastic. Love the Harley tree and the Santa’s make it so festive. Eileen – well your first day back did not sound too bad… I leave for 2 days and I have 100 emails so I know how you feel, it takes awhile to go through them all. Cindy – Sorry – I don’t know your friend from the Speed Channel. I’ve only worked with 2 people from Nascar, they were marketing people for 1 project I worked on. I’m slowly learning about it. This weekend was a bit hectic, my friend was in the hospital so I was running back and forth to check in on her (she’s fine and came home today). I also went to a Knicks game (they lost) but the Giants beat the Cowboy’s!!! Did you hear that? Let me say it again…. The Giants beat the Cowboys!!! Sorry Texas girls!! Well I’m back on liquids today and soft solids tomorrow… I had another fill so now I’m at 1.6cc. Hopefully that will work. The weight loss has slowed to about 1 lb. a week which is really depressing. I know what I have to do I just can’t get motivated to hit the gym. I’m not sure where or when the get together is going to be. I just threw it out there to see who was interested. I thought it would be fun to have a get together with everyone. Since I live in NYC and don’t have a car (garage fees can cost more than the rent) I was thinking the tri-state metro area. I know I can get a bus/train out to Eileen’s area. Anyone have any thoughts? Of course holiday time in New York is always fun….Rockefeller Center Tree, Central Park, Radio City, etc…..anyone want to take a road trip to New York? Time for me to go find some liquid nourishment (hhhmmm wine is liquid.....) Have a great night. Damn – no snow yet!!!

Hi Everyone, It’s December already? Hmmm Texas and Jersey girls, what do we have in common? (Insert big hair joke here!) I wish we were all located near each other... I have a feeling if we all got together posting bail would be part of the festivities. Well I just got back a little while ago from Green Bay, Wisconsin… It was 9 degrees there – I froze by big butt off! Eileen… It looks like you and I were the only takers on a NJ holiday get together we should figure out if we can meet up and get more participants! So it’s back to work on Monday huh? Doesn’t time fly? What’s that? You say you have a sore throat? A fever? Uh oh, you might be coming down with something (cough, cough). Beanie – love the new picture! I just recently became a Nascar fan about a year ago. I’ve worked with them on some projects at work and I was lucky enough to go to their awards ceremony last year (the one on tv now – it’s on TNT). That was fun! The luncheon I went to this week was for the March of Dimes annual sports luncheon. A colleague is on the committee and our company bought a table at the event. They were awarding Brian France with an award and Jimmie Johnson presented it to him. Billie Jean King was there too presenting to the womens soccer team and that really made my day. But then I get back to the office and tell a 24 year old coworker that she was there and she said “who is Billie Jean King?” I almost died, I could not believe it! I forget that her hey day was the 70’s and this coworker was not even born yet! Patty – Lewis’s golden birthday sounds terrific, I hope you have a great party tomorrow. Cindy – How are you? I’m so glad the flowers brightened your day. Isn’t it amazing how someone’s thoughtfulness goes a long way in making you feel better? Betty … .mmmmm those Cookies sound delicious! I have decided that I just can’t bake this year… I just don’t think I can avoid the temptation and would eat too many. Well I need to find something to eat in my empty apartment (could not do the plane and airport food!)… I have a feeling I need to go grocery shopping but am hoping a meal will mysteriously appear in the next 5 minutes. What’s everyone doing this weekend?

Welcome back Beanie & Cindy we missed you! Eileen - I loved your DD's room - the perfect princess room! Sorry I have not been around much this week. It's ironic... sometimes I have nothing to do all week and then a week hits and BAM! I have soo much going on I can't remember my name! Today was fun and a perfect New York holiday moment...I had a business luncheon at the Waldorf Astoria....nothing says Christmas like the Waldorf! Fun part was that it is Nascar week in NY and all the cars are out in front, Jimmie Johnson and Brian France were at my luncheon - pretty cool. Tomorrow I have to travel to Wisconsin and come back Friday night so I won't be around much this week... I hope everyone has a great rest of the week and I will check back with you all on Saturday when I get home...

I did not see the 20/20 show… but I heard about the gastric pacemaker about 2 years ago. I actually applied to be part of the clinical study they were doing but was not accepted. I’m glad I was not and am really happy I found out about and chose the band. If anyone is interested one of the doctors in the study was Dr. Louis Arrone in NY, I think he is part of the Weil <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comNew York</st1:State>, I think he is part of W<st1:PlaceName w:st=" /><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Medical</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Center.</st1:PlaceType> To the Carnie Wilson comment… was she on the show and said she gained 40 lbs.? I saw her about a month ago on the street and thought looked great. The only thing that looked big on her was her hair! Of course she was wearing a long jacket and could have been hiding it really well but I don’t think so.

Hello Everyone! Well I’m back from the holiday, my Thanksgiving was fun. We went to my cousins, that was great because then I did not have to deal with eating all the leftovers in the fridge. For the first time I did not overeat…I just had a little bit of everything. I had my fill last week (1cc) and only feel a little bit of difference I go for a second fill next week which I hope will help even more. Yup, I was one of the nuts out shopping before the sun came up. For me I have no choice, it’s the only time I will be home before Christmas and have access to the malls and a car since I live in the city. As much as I hated getting up at 5am I got most of my shopping all done, the rest I will do online. People are crazy…at one store I got there at 6 and there was a 1 hour line to check out. No way! I walked out of the store…there is nothing I need that badly. Cindy - I’m so sorry to hear about your Grandma. My thoughts are with you and your family. Pat – I still can’t stop laughing about your cookies!!! Well you know what they say…if at first you don’t succeed try again! Of course you could always just buy pre made cookies and bake them up (we won’t tell!). Eileen & Betty – sounds like you two win the prize for cooking! It sounded delicious! Sorry to disappoint but no decorating here…. It’s not that I’m a humbug I just can’t fit anything else in my small apartment. So did anyone else go shopping this weekend?

Good Morning Everyone! I wanted to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! I'm running really late for work since I did not pack my bag last night and of course now can't find anything. I'm leave for my Mom's right from work today and will be back on Sunday. So I figured I'm already late for work so I might as well take a minute for a post! Enjoy the holiday! Stuffing and mashed potatoes here I come!

Hi Everyone, How was everyone’s weekend? Anything fun and exciting? I just ran around and did all the errands all weekend that I have been putting off all week. Okay, I admit it….I also slept late (really late). Eileen the early bird probably had a million things done before I dragged my lazy butt out of bed. Now to keep up with the laziness theme I’m flipping channels between the Jets game (it hurts to watch) and the Cup race. My doctor miraculously did not cancel on Friday so I had my first fill. It was quick and pain less, I’m back on mushies until tomorrow. I feel more restricted so that makes me happy. Right in time for Thanksgiving! Beanie – enjoy your vacation! Swimming and Mexican food sounds like heaven to me! Cindy – I’m sorry to hear the news about your Grandma. Are you going to make the trip for Thanksgiving? Eileen – where can I get the hazelnut coffee delivery? MMMMMM Pat – so have you decided which cookies to bake? Of course I recommend mine (Eileen’s sounds good too)!! Betty – I hope you manage to get some time for yourself with the extra work your doing. Patty – Disney sounded like fun. Snow (although fake) without the winter coat? Sounds perfect to me! So ever since the Texas girls got together I was thinking that maybe the NJ peeps should get together too. Of course everyone is welcome ….do I hear the words “road trip”??? Anyone interested?

Hi Everyone! Eileen – the new color sounds great. I’m desperate to get my “natural blonde” a touch up. Who am I kidding? The last time I was a real blonde I was also a skinny 15 year old! Pat – sounds like we both treated ourselves to pampering this week! Hope you had a great anniversary. Rock fishing off the pier sounds really relaxing and peaceful. How adorable your grandson is! Cindy – I’m so sorry to hear about your Grandma. I hope everything is okay, and you get to spend some time with her on Thanksgiving. My grandmother spent so much time for years between hospitals and rehabilitation places that the holidays were always challenging. Hang in there! Patty – Beanie’s exact words… Moms are amazing. I can barely take care of myself. What you do is amazing and wonderful. Beanie – so did you treat yourself to a pedicure? What color – vixen red?! You totally deserve it dealing with all the insurance crap and your dedication to overcome the evil elliptical machine. Betty and I will be a tag team with the crossed fingers to prevent injuries. In the meantime, giving the voodoo dolls a good workout on your behalf. Well this morning people on the city streets ran for cover as a scale fell from the sky. Luckily no one was injured but fear runs rampant through the city. Week #3 and the scale did not move. Tomorrow I once again have my doctor’s appointment. They better not cancel on me again for the 4th time or someone will be hurt. Hoping I can get a fill and not have to throw another scale out the window next week – that could get expensive. What are everyone’s plans for the coming weekend?

Hi Pat, Aghhh! I've been asked to bake Cookies for the holidays as well. Not sure how I'm going to do this successfully without eating them all! Here is my tried and true chocolate chip cookie recipe. Everyone seems to love them so that can't be that bad! 2 cups butter 2 tsp. soda 5 cups blended oatmeal** 2 cups brown sugar 1 8 oz. Hershey Bar (grated) 2 tsp. baking powder 2 tsp. vanilla4 cups flour 2 cups sugar 24 oz. chocolate chips 1 tsp. salt 4 eggs 3 cups chopped nuts (your choice)** measure oatmeal and blend in a blender to a fine powder. Cream the butter and both sugars. Add eggs and vanilla; mix together with flour, oatmeal, salt, baking powder, and soda. Add chocolate chips, Hershey Bar and nuts. Roll into balls and place two inches apart on a cookie sheet. Bake for 10 minutes at 375 degrees. Makes 112 cookies. Enjoy!

Sounds like the roll of quarters in your pocket did the trick! Don't get discouraged, UHC is pretty good. I have UHC and did not have any co-morbidities, just back & knee pain. They approved me within in 2 weeks. Good luck!

Hi Everyone, Hope everyone is having a good day. Welcome Patty! Beanie – I’m so sorry to hear about BCBS. Is there some sort of voodoo ritual I can perform? Maybe Eileen’s friend can help. A New York lawyer? Come on, that’s double the jokes and double the toughness! Pat – I went to Monmouth Beach, it’s near Long Branch. It was great, very windy on the beach so I ate a lot of sand but my band did not seem to mind! Eileen – Back pain is awful, I hope you are trying to take it easy and take relaxing baths. I hurt my back 3 years ago and it has never been the same. Cindy – Hang in there and have a great time with your Grandma, Eileen is right…it is good to let it out. So today I took the day off of work because I had my 2nd follow up with my doctor. Now let me start with telling you that my first follow up had to be re-scheduled 3 times by his office, always at the last minute and at the worst times of day possible. When I finally had my first follow up I did not even get to meet with my surgeon but members of his staff because he was “not available”. Funny… I could have sworn that was him meeting with other patients as I sat in the waiting room. A little disappointing but when I asked his staff they said the rescheduling was a fluke and not normal – okay I gave them the benefit of the doubt… So jump forward to my second follow up…. First appointment was rescheduled, second appointment rescheduled for today. I brought 3 magazines, 1 book and a newspaper because the day was supposed to go like this…10am upper GI and 2pm Dr. and 2:30pm nutritionist. Yup – a 4 hour wait between appointments in not the best area of NYC. So I get my test done, everything looks good (phew!) and head to a coffee shop to wait. 12:00 I get a call… you guessed it… the Dr. had an emergency and had to reschedule again for the 3rd time. Nope… no one else in the office could meet with me and do a fill. So now I get to trek back there on Friday …that is if they don’t cancel again. Thankfully, my work is fantastic so I can come in late and not worry. So what was a girl to do with a free afternoon? Laundry? Cleaning? Chores? Nope….I went for a manicure and pedicure and it was divine! How is everyone else doing?

Hi Pippimcc Welcome! Wow congratulations on 65lbs! Seems like almost everyone on the NY site but me went to Dr. Ren! I love swimming too. It is the only thing that gets me excited about exercising. I specifically joined my gym (NYHR) because it has a great lap pool that is usually not crowded. But things could have changed I have not been there a very long time! I hope to go back this month. Barbara- I hear some people on here love Curves. You should try it. For me I'm going to stick to my gym, there is one 2 blocks from my office and one right on the block where I live so it is really convenient (and hard to make excuses). As I said above my cardio is swimming which I know Curves does not have. But I bet you can get someone to join you if they live nearby - good luck! Zan

Here I am! I went down the shore this weekend to see my nieces and boy did they wipe me out!! I just got home a little while ago. The weather was beautiful. We went to the beach, the playground and just basically ran around without naps non stop! So it seems like everyone had a busy weekend as well. Eileen - Sounds like the mushies are going well. Who would have ever thought mushies tasted so good?! When do you go on solids? Pat - your house looks great - nice and relaxing! Beanie - sending good thoughts your way for tomorrow. Another trip to IKEA? I love the place but it takes me forever to put everything together. Cindy - how is the fill working? My doctor told me once I was on solid foods I would be able to tell how much restriction I have. I can tell you - none! I'm hoping I can get a fill on Tuesday and start moving the scale down again. Well there will not be another late night of not being able to sleep for me! I found the trick - trying to keep up with 2 kids under 3! I'm off to watch Desperate Housewives and then sleep! Have a good night!

Hi Everyone, Well I did not kill anyone with the scale… it just did not move. I guess its good news that it did not go up. Next week I go for a follow up and get an upper GI done, if all goes well with the test and I can get a fill. Hopefully that will help. Pat – you look fantastic! Purple and red are your colors! Did everyone see Cindy’s concert post? Awesome! I think she’s holding out on all of us - WITH THE BAND – huh? Do tell. Beanie – welcome to my island. You take Pierce and I’ll keep Matt – I’m sure we will not be bored! I’m hoping and praying you hear good news tomorrow. Ivan – yeah the holiday parties are going to be tough. I think Betty has the right idea. Rather than torture ourselves maybe we should “splurge” just make a smaller splurge than we used to. I say that now but put a glass of wine in front of me and that’s a whole other story. Eileen – I haven’t been to those outlets in years but I remember burning up my credit card. Sounds like yours got some exercise today! Well I promised myself I would get to bed early tonight. Of course TV is good tonight so it could be another late night! How the heck does Jennifer Garner look that good pregnant? Have a good night everyone...

Mouse – that list is amazing – you are my idol. This is fun…. I know I’m forgetting a few but here goes… U2 (2x), Phil Collins (4x), Duran Duran (yup I was a Duranie), Power Station, Eric Clapton, Sting (in Central Park – the best ever), Billy Joel, Goo Goo Dolls (2x), Frank Sinatra (unforgettable), 10,000 Maniacs, Bon Jovi, Springsteen, Don Henley (2x), Eagles, Elton John, Eurthymics (sp?), Rolling Stones, INXS, Ziggy Marley, Matchbox 20, Billy Squire, Indigo Girls, Madonna, Mellencamp, Melissa Etheridge, James Taylor (3x) and Barry Manilow (okay I’ll admit it… once when I was 5 and had no choice then when I was 20 and chose to see him!)

I have United Healthcare and was approved within 8 days from submitting the paperwork. Another important question to find out is if you coverage excludes weight loss surgery. UH covers WLS but if your specific policy has an exclusion UH won't pay. Good Luck

I know this was really wrong but I never told my Dad and Stepmom that I had surgery. I never even told them I was thinking about it. Hi Apryl, Uhhhh…. me too exactly. My question to you that I have also asked myself is …. Who says it is wrong? That was my first reaction too, but I kept thinking (and stressing) about it and wound up changing my mind. You must have had a good reason why you did not tell him in the first place. Trust yourself that it was the right thing for you. Afterall this journey is about you, not your Dad. My story is pretty much the same as yours – banded 1 month ago, told everyone else expect my father and then felt guilty and thought “how can I tell him now and not hurt him?”… For me right or wrong I have decided to stretch the truth a bit to protect his feelings and quite honestly make it easier for me. I have decided to tell him the next time I speak to him. I’m telling him that only my brother knew beforehand (I am very close to my brother so he would expect this) and I am now just telling everyone else. I chose to not tell anyone until it was over and I had fully recovered from the surgery. I realize that there is a chance he still may be hurt but ultimately he needs to respect my decision and that I felt it was best for me. This is my plan on dealing with this. I hope this helps you and if not at least know you are not the only one in a similar situation. Good luck!

Hi Everyone, Big mistake… I was stuck in an all day meeting today and ran to Starbucks during a break. Should have known better to have coffee late in the afternoon! I’m never getting to sleep tonight! Maybe I should have tried the chai tea you all are talking about. I was pretty proud of myself today since they ordered in lunch and there were trays (yes plural!) of fattening sandwiches, Cookies and brownies and I did not have any! I took half of a tuna sandwich and did not eat the bread. Damn those cookies looked good! Tomorrow is the 1 day a week I defined to step on the scale, which I’m dreading. I can tell this is the week I did not lose anything. But I know I’m a glutton for punishment so I will get on the scale anyway. I just hope I don’t hurt anyone when I throw the scale out my window. Beanie – great job at the gym. As soon as my doctor gives be clearance I will have my friend drag me to the gym. Sounds like the doctor went well and I will keep my fingers crossed you hear good news from the insurance company. Eileen – I went to Chuck E cheese with my nieces last week and they loved it! It was my oldest niece’s 3rd birthday and Chuckie came out to sing to her – boy did she go crazy! Especially since Barney had come to her birthday party the day before. Betty – I know what you mean about presents. By the time the holidays come I will be broke! But my nieces will be spoiled! Well I hope everyone has a good night (what’s left of it) and a good day tomorrow. Time for me to catch up on my taped shows since I will be up for awhile…